Correctional Services Department investigates alleged assault of Magudumana in prison

The Department of Correctional Services is currently investigating an alleged assault on Dr. Nandipha Magudumana while in custody at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre in the Free State. Magudumana’s lawyer, Machini Motloung, claims that she was assaulted by two inmates, leaving her with serious bruising, pain, and suffering. However, the department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, stated that health officials who examined Magudumana reported no visible injuries after the alleged attack. Motloung also claimed that Magudumana had previously reported threats against her to prison officials, but they had failed to prevent the assault.

Motloung further stated that Magudumana has opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against her alleged attackers. The police have not yet confirmed this, but Motloung plans to engage with the department and the Ministry of Justice regarding Magudumana’s safety as an awaiting trial inmate. Magudumana and her husband made headlines after it was revealed that she allegedly helped her boyfriend fake his own death and escape from a maximum-security prison. The couple faced multiple charges after the escape, which funded their luxurious lifestyle in Sandton before fleeing to Tanzania, where they were eventually apprehended by local authorities.

The State alleges that Magudumana assisted her inmate boyfriend in faking his own death and escaping from prison, including procuring bodies to aid in the escape plan. Despite their efforts to conceal the true identity of the body set on fire in her lover’s cell, their escape plot was eventually exposed. Magudumana and her husband engaged in several scams following the escape to finance their lifestyle before fleeing to Tanzania. GroundUp initially exposed the couple’s escape plot, leading to their eventual arrest in Tanzania by local authorities.

Magudumana’s lawyer, Motloung, has expressed concern about the safety of his client in prison and plans to address this issue with relevant authorities. While the Department of Correctional Services is investigating the alleged assault on Magudumana, she has chosen to discuss the matter with her lawyers before deciding on how to proceed. Motloung claims that Magudumana’s complaints about various challenges she faces while in custody have been ignored by prison officials. The safety and well-being of inmates is a top priority for the department, and they are taking these allegations seriously as they conduct an investigation into the incident.

It is unclear whether Magudumana sustained any physical injuries during the alleged assault, as health officials who examined her reportedly found no visible signs of harm. Motloung maintains that Magudumana reported threats against her to prison authorities, but they failed to prevent the attack on her. The case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against her alleged attackers is still under investigation, and Magudumana plans to engage with relevant authorities regarding her safety in prison as an awaiting trial inmate. The saga involving Magudumana and her husband’s escape plot from prison has garnered significant media attention, leading to their eventual arrest in Tanzania after fleeing from South Africa.